林冠附生植物观测方法概述

林冠的物种多样性极为丰富,在整个森林生态系统中具有非常重要的作用。但由于乔木树体高大,冠层难以接近,在很大程度上限制了林冠植物多样性的研究。在过去30年中,各种技术不断应用于林冠附生植物的采样,林冠取样方法的研究成为林冠附生植物的多样性、生物量及其生态学效应等方面研究的重要基础。文中以附生植物多样性、生物量和附生植物群落的生态功能等为基础,结合作者已开展的工作,综述了林冠附生植物的观测调查及取样方法,并且分析了不同方法的特点及在林冠研究中的应用,对进一步深入研究附生植物提出了一些建议。     

林冠附生植物生态学研究进展

林冠附生植物及其枯死存留物是构成山地湿性森林生态系统中生物区系、结构和功能的重要组分。由于在林冠攀爬技术上的限制,过去对林冠附生植物在生态系统结构和功能过程中的作用未能引起足够的重视。近20年来,随着对林冠生物多样性及其在生态系统功能过程影响的认识和研究技术上的提高,对林冠附生生物的研究已逐步从个体水平转移到系统水平上。有关林冠附生植物多样性、生物量及其生态学效应已成为近年来国际上新兴研究领域——“林冠学”的研究热点之一。许多研究表明,林冠附生植物在生态系统水平上的交互作用比它们的解剖、形态和生理特征更为重要。国外大量的研究结果表明,林冠是一个适合于许多生物种类生存的场所,其数量比想象的更为丰富。在全球范围内估计有29 500余种附生植物,其中维管束附生植物的种类高达24 000种,约占总维管束植物种类的10%。林冠附生物的生物量在世界各地森林中存在较大的差异,其范围在105~44 000 kg·hm^-2之间,其中在一些热带和温带天然老龄林中林冠附生物的生物量超过了宿主林木的叶生物量。林冠附生植物还具有较大的叶面积指数(LAI)。林冠附生物丰富的物种组成、较高的生物量、独特的生理形态特征以及它们分布于森林与大气相互作用的关键界面,使得它们在生态系统物种多样性形成及其维持机制、养分和水分循环、指示环境质量等方面具有重要的作用。林冠附生植物及其枯死残留物具有较强的能力吸收雨水和空气中的营养物质,在林冠层中形成一个潮湿的环境促进氮固定,林冠附生植物群落还能为生存于林冠的其它生物(如鸟类、哺乳动物、两栖动物、爬行动物和昆虫等)提供食物和栖息场所。林冠附生植物的生长发育与分布格局除与宿主有关外,还受到环境因素(气候、地形、微生境条件等)和人为干扰的影响。由于世界各地森林类型多样和环境条件各异,目前国际上有关附生物的研究仍十分活跃,建立了林冠研究网络,研究不同类型森林中附生植物及其枯死残留物的动态及其与群落特征、环境因子的数量关系,探讨、交流和发展有效的标准测量方法和技术是该领域研究的主要内容。国内对林冠附生植物生态学的研究刚刚起步,有待于今后加强该领域的研究。     

基于塔吊的林冠科学研究进展及展望

林冠是生物圈中物种最为丰富的生境之一。长期以来,由于森林三维空间复杂性和林冠访问技术的限制,人们对林冠生物多样性、林冠的结构、功能和生态过程知之甚少。塔吊的应用突破了技术瓶颈,给林冠科学研究带来了深刻的变革。20世纪80年代以来,基于全球的林冠塔吊,国际上先后发起了林冠与土壤节肢动物多样性调查计划、林冠生物学计划、林冠CO2富集和增温实验等一系列科学研究计划,回答了林冠“有什么、在哪里、怎样变”等基本问题,极大地推动了林冠科学的发展。本综述首先介绍了林冠访问技术及发展历程。随后,较为系统地梳理了基于塔吊平台发起的林冠研究计划,并从林冠生物多样性格局、林冠生态过程和林冠对全球变化的响应与适应3方面总结了相关研究进展。最后,从林冠访问技术所驱动的重大发现、林冠科学的主要研究框架、林冠科学的地域性与局限性等方面阐述了林冠科学研究计划带来的重要启示,并提出今后的林冠研究应更多关注“林冠–地面–土壤”3个层次相互关联形成的整体结构和功能系统,通过多元异构数据融合和人工智能技术,从多尺度、全方位解析全球变化背景下,整体森林的生物多样性格局、生态过程及其服务功能的响应与维持机制。     

人类活动对森林林冠的影响——第六届国际林冠学大会述评

1背景介绍 林冠是森林与大气相互作用的关键生态界面,在生态系统生物多样性形成与维系,物质、能量交换过程中发挥着重要的作用[1].过去由于受技术、认识水平及其它方面的限制,人们对森林林冠的了解甚少.近20多年来,随着全球变化、生物多样性和生态系统生态学研究的深入,人们对林冠中丰富的附生生物多样性及其功能产生了浓厚的兴趣.目前,国际上对林冠的概念,已从过去简单的森林顶层或冠层发展为包括森林中的所有叶片、枝条、小枝以及各种附生的有机体及其枯死残留物的总和,也即森林中地表以上的所有植冠的集合‘2].林冠是一个适合于许多生物种类生存的场所,其数量比想象的更为丰富.在全球范围内估计有29 500余种附生植物,其中维管束附生植物的种类高达24 000种,约占总维管束植物种类的10％[3],林冠附生物质的生物量范围在105-44000 kg/hm2之间[1],其中在一些热带和温带天然老龄林中林冠附生物的生物量甚至超过了宿主林木的叶生物量.从20个世纪70年代以来,林冠学研究逐渐兴起,并受到来自森林生态学、气候学、环境科学等研究领域学者越来越多的关注[4-5].Nature和Science就分别报道了林冠生物多样性、林冠与全球气候变化等相关研究成果[3,6-7];一些致力于林冠生态学研究的国际组织(如国际林冠网络InternationalCanopy Network,ICAN、国际林冠塔吊网络International Canopy Crane Network,ICCN、全球林冠项目GlobalCanopy Program,GCP)也应运而生,表明林冠学研究已逐渐成为目前国际上生物多样性、全球变化研究中的热点问题.林冠学已成为国际森林生态学研究的前沿方向,有望逐步发展成为一门新兴学科.     

哀牢山湿性常绿阔叶林林冠和林地腐殖质理化特性、微生物量及酶活性比较

在热带、亚热带和温带高海拔潮湿生境的山地森林林冠层中,积累有较为丰富的林冠腐殖质(Canopy humus),是构成山地森林生态系统景观结构的重要组分,为丰富的附生植物提供了重要的生长基质和营养物质.通过对云南哀牢山山地湿性常绿阔叶林林冠腐殖质和其相应林下地表腐殖质的分析测定结果表明,由于林冠和林下地表腐殖质的来源、组成和空间分布的不同,它们之间的理化特性存在较大的差异,其中林冠腐殖质中有机C、全N及全Ca的含量、C/N以及阳离子交换量显著高于林下地表腐殖质,而全K和全Mg的含量则显著低于后者,全P含量差异不明显;林冠腐殖质的微生物量C、N和呼吸强度,以及蔗糖酶、脲酶和蛋白酶的活性均显著高于林下地表腐殖质,说明林冠腐殖质是一种具有较高生物活性的有机土类物质,在山地森林生态系统养分循环、林冠附生植物多样性格局形成及其维持方面具有重要的作用.     

中国森林冠层生物多样性监测

林冠作为森林与外界环境相互作用最直接和最活跃的关键生态界面,承载了森林生物多样性的主体,在生物多样性的形成与维持以及生态系统功能过程中发挥着重要的作用,被称为地球的"第八大洲"。同时,林冠对气候变化和人为干扰高度敏感,在人类活动和全球气候变化加剧的背景下,森林生态系统正面临着严重的威胁,首当其冲的就是森林冠层。气候变化下的林冠生物多样性保护与可持续利用已成为现代生态学研究的热点问题,受到森林生态学、气候学、环境科学等研究领域的学者越来越多的关注。据此,中国生物多样性监测与研究网络以网络内拥有森林冠层塔吊的生物多样性监测样地为平台,建立了林冠生物多样性监测专项网。该专项网将参照国际标准,统一监测指标,规范监测标准,通过大尺度地带性森林冠层内植物(包括附生种子植物和附生孢子植物)多样性、动物多样性、微生物多样性及其动态变化的长期监测,结合林冠小气候环境特征监测,建立林冠小环境特征、植物多样性、节肢动物多样性和微生物多样性等4个动态更新的数据库,以阐明我国典型森林林冠生物多样性变化的规律,揭示其对森林生态系统功能过程的影响和对全球变化的响应。     

亚热带森林附生植物叶片气孔特征及其可塑性对光照变化的响应

附生植物是热带亚热带森林生态系统中物种多样性极高且极其脆弱敏感的生物类群之一。光照被认为是促进附生植物由陆生类群演化而来并决定其生长和分布的关键因素。然而,由于接近林冠和规范性采样的限制,附生植物与光照的关系仍亟待阐述。为揭示附生植物对光强变化的响应和适应策略,该研究以亚热带常绿阔叶林6种附生植物(林冠层木本:鼠李叶花楸、毛棉杜鹃;林冠层草本:狭瓣贝母兰、毛唇独蒜兰;树干区草本:点花黄精、距药姜)为对象,对其在4个光处理梯度下生长的叶片气孔特征及其可塑性进行了对比分析。结果表明:(1) 2种附生小乔木的气孔面积(SA)、气孔密度(SD)、潜在气孔导度指数(PCI)和表皮细胞密度(ECD)均对光强改变显著响应。2种附生兰科植物的SA最大,而SD最小;附生乔木叶片SD和ECD的光响应趋势与陆生植物更相似,而附生草本则出现种间差异。(2) 6种附生植物的气孔、表皮细胞特性及其表型可塑性,在草本-木本、常绿-落叶植物、林冠-树干区之间,均无明显差别。(3)附生植物气孔特性和表皮细胞平均可塑性指数均低于陆生植物。综上结果表明,亚热带常绿阔叶林中附生植物对于光环境变化的适应性相对较弱。不同的附生植物可以通过不同程度地增加叶片SD和ECD来适应高光强生境,并通过对SD和SA的双重调节以增大潜在光合能力从而应对低光胁迫。     

西双版纳热带森林附生维管植物的物种多样性与区系特征

附生植物是山地森林生态系统中重要的结构性成分。因受林冠调查技术限制, 人们对林冠附生植物知之甚少。本文在前人有关西双版纳植物区系研究的基础上, 结合野外调查和标本资料, 对该地区附生植物的物种组成与分布进行了整理。结果表明, 西双版纳热带森林附生维管植物共有29科134属486种, 约占全部维管植物的11%。附生兰科是最丰富的类群(69属293种), 其中以石斛属(Dendrobium) (49种)和石豆兰属(Bulbophyllum) (48种)物种数最多。蕨类是仅次于兰科的附生类群(13科38属97种), 其中水龙骨科(51种)占附生蕨类总数的50%以上。基于生活史和养分来源的划分标准, 该地区48%的附生物种属于兼性附生, 其次是以兰科为主的专性附生(46%), 半附生仅占6%。从区系上看, 西双版纳附生植物属的分布具有明显的热带亚洲性质。附生植物主要分布于资源受限的林冠生境, 对环境变化极为敏感, 在人为干扰日益加剧的背景下, 这类植物正面临严重威胁。因此, 需要加强对西双版纳林冠亚系统的保护。     

鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林群落垂直结构及其物种多样性特征

群落结构在森林生态系统中具有重要作用, 其构建机制一直是森林生态学的研究核心。群落结构不仅包括水平方向上的物种分布格局, 还包括垂直方向上的物种分层结构。本文基于鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林塔吊样地, 利用林冠塔吊和测高杆精准测量样地内每个个体(胸径大于1 cm)的树高, 并划分群落的垂直层次, 研究了每层的群落多样性特征(α多样性)和林层间的群落多样性变化特征(β多样性)。结果表明: (1)样地群落垂直层次由下至上分为5层: 灌木层、亚冠层、林冠下层、林冠中层和林冠上层。(2)随林层向上, 物种丰富度、多度和Shannon-Wiener指数均下降, Pielou均匀度指数在林冠下层最大。(3)利用POD法计算并分解β多样性, 发现随林层向上, β多样性在灌木层与其他各层间呈递增趋势, 在相邻林层间呈单峰型, 不同林层间的物种组成差异主要由丰富度差异造成。 但在林冠下层与林冠中层间丰富度差异较小, 物种替换组分增大, 可能与林冠下层所处特殊位置有关。(4)各林层内微环境从灌木层向上, 趋于高温、强光照和低空气相对湿度, 但林冠下层平均日光强最低。综上, 鼎湖山南亚热带常绿阔叶林林冠下层可能存在强烈的环境筛选作用, 且光照可能是影响群落垂直结构形成的限制因子。     

附生植物生理生态适应性研究进展

附生植物是生活在其它植物体或残体上的特殊植物类群,大多生长于森林冠层,空间上远离地面土壤,在光能、水分和养分吸收方面具有明显的局限性。对附生植物的类群、分布、生态功能及对环境的适应性进行了综述,着重分析了附生植物在环境资源有限的生境中生长旺盛并占据重要生态位的原因。同时对今后的研究方向进行了展望,即更新附生植物数据库,明确附生植物水分和养分来源及利用策略,加强对附生植物开发利用及资源恢复重建的研究。     

Advances in ecological studies of epiphytes using canopy cranes

Forest canopies are one of the most species-rich habitats, but among the least explored in the biosphere. They play a crucial role in the process of material and energy exchange between the forest and atmosphere. Individual ecosystem members (e.g., epiphytes) and the ecological function of canopies have been given insufficient attention because of inaccessibility. Canopy cranes have been successfully used to guarantee non-destructive and reiterated sampling of epiphytes, thus offering a top-down perspective of the entire canopy. These cranes have become the symbol of canopy research and enable epiphyte research. Globally, western developed countries have conducted many studies of diversity and spatial distributions of epiphytes using canopy cranes, thus accumulating an abundance of valuable results. This review summarizes the structure, development history, and distribution of canopy cranes as well as general information about international canopy research organizations. Ecological studies of epiphytes performed around the world using these canopy cranes are also reviewed. Additionally, the development of canopy ecology and the construction of canopy cranes in China are introduced briefly. In analyzing current research trends in ecological studies of epiphytes in China and globally, the following aspects were considered: biodiversity, spatial patterns and maintenance mechanisms, ecological adaptations of epiphytes, their relationship with canopy animals, and their responses to climate change.     

Plants in the forest canopy: some reflections on current research and future direction

Plants are one of the sessile components of the forest canopy, and consequently quantitative studies of plant components are more widely available than for some of their mobile counterparts. From a global perspective, several exciting and innovative canopy access tools have been designed over the past few decades that have facilitated the expansion our understanding of canopy plants. These include a network of canopy cranes, the development of the French luge (or sled), and the construction of walkways and platforms for access into different levels of the canopy on a permanent basis. At the recent international forest canopy conference in Sarasota, Florida (Forest Canopies 1998: Global Perspectives, November 4–8, 1998), many canopy plant studies were presented that illustrated the achievements in this field. As co-chair at this event, I present here some reflections based on my observations of the development of canopy research between the first and second international conferences. A selection of case studies from the conference presentations are cited in this review, including: tree crown respiration studies from the crane in Panama; epiphyte ecology from walkways in Peru; insect-plant relationships in tree crowns of the USA using platforms; experimental studies of epiphytes in cloud forests using single rope techniques; and epiphyte diversity surveys in Africa. Ideas for the future are also mentioned such as the novel concept of canopy farming of orchids in Costa Rica, the linking of canopy processes to forest floor activities, and the construction of canopy walkways to provide a sustainable forest economy instead of the conventional practice of logging. The integration of research with sustainable use of forests provides a conservation theme for future canopy studies. Such new approaches to studies of canopy plants are important, as scientists increasingly play a role in global conservation policies.     

Ecological stoichiometry of the epiphyte community in a subtropical forest canopy

Epiphytes in tree canopies make a considerable contribution to the species diversity, aboveground biomass, and nutrient pools in forest ecosystems. However, the nutrient status of epiphytes and their possible adaptations to nutrient deficiencies in the forest canopy remain unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the stoichiometry of five macroelements (C, N, P, K, and Ca) in four taxonomic groups (lichens, bryophytes, ferns, and spermatophytes) to investigate this issue in a subtropical montane moist evergreen broad‐leaved forest in Southwest China. We found that the interspecific variations in element concentrations and mass ratios were generally greater than the intraspecific variations. And there were significant stoichiometric differences among functional groups. Allometric relationships between N and P across the epiphyte community indicated that P might be in greater demand than N with an increase in nutrients. Although canopy nutrients were deficient, most epiphytes could still maintain high N and P concentrations and low N:P ratios. Moreover, ferns and spermatophytes allocated more limited nutrients to leaves than to stems and roots. To alleviate frequent drought stress in the forest canopy, vascular epiphytes maintained several times higher K concentrations in their leaves than in the tissues of lichens and bryophytes. Our results suggest that epiphytes may have evolved specific nutrient characteristics and adaptations, so that they can distribute in heterogeneous canopy habitats and maintain the stability of nutrient metabolism.     

Nitrogen fixation of epiphytic plants enwrapping trees in Ailao Mountain cloud forests, Yunnan, China

Epiphytic plants play an important role in the nutrient cycle of forest ecosystems. There had been fewer studies in subtropical regions than in other climate zones. Prior research showed that the canopy epiphyte could fix nitrogen combined with microorganism in tropical forest. The epiphytic plants enwrapping trees in canopy layer are very abundant in the subtropical mountainous cloud forest of Ailao Mountain (central and southern Yunnan Province, SW China). This forest lacks widespread nitrogen-fixing plants, and the nitrogen origin is elusive. Maybe there also exist such nitrogen-fixing systems in epiphyte community. Nitrogen-fixing potentials of canopy epiphytes increased greatly from dry season to wet season. There occurred an obvious difference on the epiphytic nitrogen fixation abilities between upper canopy layer and sub-canopy layer in alternant period between wet season and dry season. Epiphytic nitrogen-fixing potentials for the subtropical moist forest in Ailao Mountains ranged between 0.027 and 2.24 kg ha^?1?year^?1. Our results indicate that the canopy epiphytes in the subtropical moist forest of Ailao Mountains can fix a significant amount of atmospheric nitrogen. This finding suggests a new nitrogen source for the subtropical forest ecosystem, thus can have profound impact on the studies of nitrogen cycling.     

Cyanobacterial soil crusts and woody shrub canopies in Kalahari rangelands

Intensive grazing of Kalahari rangelands has led to woody plant encroachment, notably of Acacia mellifera and Grewia flava. The mechanisms causing this process, and the ecological stability of woody plant encroached ecosystems, remain uncertain. Past studies suggest that canopy–soil relations may enhance woody plant competitive dominance. This study aims to investigate one element of this ecological change by examining the spatial distribution of cyanobacterial soil crusts in two vegetation sub‐habitats at sites of different disturbance. Crust burial by litter was also assessed to analyse the dynamics of canopy–crust relations. Our results show there is enhanced cyanobacterial crust cover under A. mellifera canopies and that unlike G. flava canopies, the crust cover remains under A. mellifera even at highly disturbed sites. This canopy–crust association suggests A. mellifera encroachment exhibits intrinsic resilience because of the crusts ability to stabilize the soil surface and increase nutrient retention. Crust burial by litter that accumulates under larger woody plants restricts crust development under canopies. Disturbance restricts crust development in plant interspaces and under G. flava. These two mechanisms combine to restrict crust development to an observed 40% threshold, with nonlinear models required to explain spatial patterns of crust dynamics.     

Functional diversity of epiphytes in two tropical lowland rainforests, French Guiana: using bryophyte life-forms to detect areas of high biodiversity

Recent studies have described a new tropical lowland forest type in the Guianas, the tropical lowland cloud forest. It is characterized by an enriched epiphytic species diversity particularly for bryophytes compared to common lowland rainforest, and is facilitated by frequent early morning fog events in valley locations. While the increase in epiphytic species diversity in lowland cloud forests has been documented, uncertainties remain as to (1) how this small scale variation in water supply is shaping the functional diversity of epiphytic components in lowland forests, and (2) whether information on functional group composition of epiphytes might aid in discerning these cloud forests from the common lowland rainforest. We compare the distribution of functional groups of epiphytes across height zones in lowland cloud forest and lowland rain forest of French Guiana in terms of biomass, cover as well as the composition of bryophyte life-forms. Both forests differed in functional composition of epiphytes in the canopy, in particular in the mid and outer canopy, with the cloud forest having a higher biomass and cover of bryophytes and vascular epiphytes as well as a richer bryophyte life-form composition. Bryophyte life-forms characteristic for cloud forests such as tail, weft and pendants were almost lacking in the canopies of common rain forest whereas they were frequent in lowland cloud forests. We suggest that ground-based evaluation of bryophyte life-form composition is a straightforward approach for identifying lowland cloud forest areas for conservation, which represent biodiversity hotspots in tropical lowland forests.     

Lichen epiphyte diversity: A species,community and trait-based review

The forest canopy is fundamentally important in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem function. Cryptogamic epiphytes are dominant tree bole and canopy elements in temperate and boreal forests, though remain neglected by mainstream forest ecology. This review makes ecological information on cryptogamic epiphytes available to a non-specialist audience, to facilitate their integration in forest biodiversity and ecosystem studies more generally. The review focuses specifically on lichen epiphytes, highlighting their diversity and ecosystem role. A principal task is to explore pattern and process in lichen epiphyte diversity – species composition and richness – therefore demonstrating the utility of lichens as an ecological model system. The review examines key themes in previous research. First, the extensive literature used to resolve species response to, and community turnover along environmental/resource gradients, consistent with the habitat niche. Second, the evidence for dispersal-limitation, which may constrain community composition and richness in isolated habitats. Third, these two processes – the habitat niche and dispersal-limitation – are used to explain stand-scale diversity, in addition to the role of neutral effects (habitat area). Fourth, the review moves from a taxonomic (pattern) to a functional (process) perspective, considering evidence for autogenic succession evidenced by competition and/or facilitation, and non-random trends in life-history traits. This functional approach provides a counter-point to an assumption that lichen epiphyte communities are unsaturated and non-competitive, a situation which would allow the long-term accumulation of species richness with temporal continuity. Finally, the review explores landscape-scale impacts on lichen epiphytes, with recommendations for conservation.     

Optimality of nitrogen distribution among leaves in plant canopies

The vertical gradient of the leaf nitrogen content in a plant canopy is one of the determinants of vegetation productivity. The ecological significance of the nitrogen distribution in plant canopies has been discussed in relation to its optimality; nitrogen distribution in actual plant canopies is close to but always less steep than the optimal distribution that maximizes canopy photosynthesis. In this paper, I review the optimality of nitrogen distribution within canopies focusing on recent advancements. Although the optimal nitrogen distribution has been believed to be proportional to the light gradient in the canopy, this rule holds only when diffuse light is considered; the optimal distribution is steeper when the direct light is considered. A recent meta-analysis has shown that the nitrogen gradient is similar between herbaceous and tree canopies when it is expressed as the function of the light gradient. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain why nitrogen distribution is suboptimal. However, hypotheses explain patterns observed in some specific stands but not in others; there seems to be no general hypothesis that can explain the nitrogen distributions under different conditions. Therefore, how the nitrogen distribution in canopies is determined remains open for future studies; its understanding should contribute to the correct prediction and improvement of plant productivity under changing environments.     

The nutrient status of epiphytes and their host trees along an elevational gradient in Costa Rica

Vascular epiphytes are a conspicuous and highly diverse group in tropical wet forests; yet, we understand little about their mineral nutrition across sites. In this study, we examined the mineral nutrition of three dominant vascular epiphyte groups: ferns, orchids, and bromeliads, and their host trees from samples collected along a 2600 m elevational gradient in the tropical wet forests of Costa Rica. We predicted that the mineral nutrition of ferns, orchids, and bromeliads would differ because of their putative differences in nutrient acquisition mechanisms and nutrient sources—atmospherically dependent, foliar feeding bromeliads would have lower nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) concentrations and more depleted δ¹⁵N values than those in canopy soil-rooted ferns because canopy soil is higher in available N, and more enriched in δ¹⁵N than the atmospheric sources of precipitation and throughfall. We also predicted that epiphyte foliar chemistry would mirror that of host trees because of the likely contribution of host trees to the nutrient cycle of epiphytes via foliar leaching and litter contributions to canopy soil. In the same vein, we predicted that epiphyte and host tree foliar chemistry would vary with elevation reflecting ecosystem-level nutrients—soil N availability increases and P availability decreases with increasing elevation. Our results confirmed that canopy soil-rooted epiphytes had higher N concentrations than atmospheric epiphytes; however, our predictions were not confirmed with respect to P which did not vary among groups indicating fixed P availability within sites. In addition, foliar δ¹⁵N values did not match our prediction in that canopy soil-rooted as well as atmospheric epiphytes had variable signatures. Discriminant function analysis (DFA) on foliar measurements determined that ferns, orchids, and bromeliads are statistically distinct in mineral nutrition. We also found that P concentrations of ferns and orchids, but not bromeliads, were significantly correlated with those of host trees indicating a possible link in their mineral nutrition’s via canopy soil. Interestingly, we did not find any patterns of epiphyte foliar chemistry with elevation. These data indicate that the mineral nutrition of the studied epiphyte groups are distinct and highly variable within sites and the diverse uptake mechanisms of these epiphyte groups enhance resource partitioning which may be a mechanism for species richness maintenance in tropical forest canopies.